Bright Memories (Brightlife)

Bright Memories is a Dementia specific Brightlife funded project to help reduce social isolation in people aged over 50 in Cheshire West and Chester.
Brightlife was formed in 2015 by a group of organisations from across the public and third sectors in the Cheshire West and Chester and led by Age UK Cheshire, as the regional delivery partner for the National Lottery Community Fund’s Fulfilling Lives: Ageing Better programme.
Bright Memories was funded as part of Brightlife’s ‘Key Commissions’ strand and was delivered over two years by a consortium led by Cheshire & Warrington Carers Trust.

 

Key Learnings from the Brightlife initiative:

  • Developing a new brand is a long process and it takes time (and a lot of promotional work) for the name to resonate with professionals and the general public.
  • Establishing referral pathways can be very difficult with new services. Having a single point of access (such as a GP or other health service) would be helpful.
  • Delivery of services in non-traditional settings is positive: it’s important not to stereotype people over 50 as ‘old’ and expect them all to engage with the same things.
  • Carers want opportunities to take the person they look after out of the local area and to take part in different activities.
  • People with dementia who attend groups with carers may need calmer settings to be able to engage effectively.
  • Developing and delivering services collaboratively can be a challenge, as each organisation has its own mission, values etc.
  • Volunteers may be reluctant to take on a role working with people with dementia.
  • The staffing requirement of services aimed at people with dementia is significantly higher than for non-dementia-specific provision.
  • Regular involvement of people with dementia in projects and services can be limited by their often poor health and other long-term conditions.

Cheshire Dance is proud to partner with Bright Memories and associated partner organisation to help support older people out of loneliness and social isolation through the medium of dance.

Find out more about: Bright Memories (Brightlife)

http://www.brightlifecheshire.org.uk

Our Work with Bright Memories (Brightlife)

Artists with Bright Memories (Brightlife)